Less than three months after garlic festival shooting, Gilroy police offer gun buyback

Gilroy and Morgan Hill police are working with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office to sponsor a gun buyback less than three months after a shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival and nearly four months after a shooting at a Morgan Hill car dealership.

The $50,000 gun buyback is the first one in southern Santa Clara County in 25 years, and Gilroy police said the goal is to get unwanted weapons out of the hands of criminals, mentally unstable people and children.

At the buyback, anyone can turn in unwanted guns anonymously and get cash. Police said no questions will be asked about whose gun it is or where it came from. The guns must be functional, and they will be checked to see if they are lost or stolen. If they were reported lost or stolen, they will be returned to their owners, and all others will be destroyed.

Police ask that guns be brought to the location unloaded and in the trunk of your car. They will not accept walk-ups or ammunition. Because funds are limited, the buyback is first come, first served.

It will be held at the Gilroy Corporation Yard on Old Gilroy Street on Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Police are offering $100 for handguns, rifles and shotguns and $200 for assault weapons. The limit is five per person.

For more information, contact Capt. Pedro Espinoza at 408-846-0347.